Laundry machine



March 1 1943. L, D, MCCLEARY 2,314,155

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed 'April 5, 1941 s sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

March 16, 1943. I L. D. MCCLEARY 2,314,155

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed April 8. 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 1 o ig 1 Mgr-ch 16, 1943. 1.. D. McCLEARY LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed April 8, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.

v Q INVENTbR.

Patented Mar. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE LAUNDRY MACHINE Lorin D. McCleary, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application April 8, 1941, Serial N0. 387,475

11 Claims. (01. 68-23) I My invention relates to improvements in laundry machines, and the principal object of my invention is to provide a laundry machine that will perform all the operations, successively in one tub, of washing the fabrics, extracting the soap water, dirt sediment, surface suds and scum from the fabrics, rinsing the fabrics, extracting the rinse water from the fabrics, starching the fabrics, and drying the fabrics, without removing them from the tub; and by this means save the operator the time and labor of manually shifting the fabrics from one operation to another, as is necessary in laundering fabrics on washing machines now commonly in use; and further to eliminate carrying and hanging the fabrics on lines for drying them, or of transferring them to other means for drying them, and also to elimi-,

nate the work of dampening and starching the fabrics by hand to prepare them for ironing,

Reference is here made to my application, Serial Number 331,971, now pending. In the machine described and claimed in that application there was no provision made for driving heated air into the washing tub to efiect more rapid and thorough drying of the fabrics and there was no provision made for starching the fabrics while in the tub. Also, driving mechanism shown and claimed therein was applied in a manner adapting it for driving a washing tub mounted for both revolving and oscillating motions, and having an agitating element fixed to the tub.

Another object of my invention is to apply a heating element in combination with a fan for driving a current of heated air into the tub after the rinse water has been extracted from the fabrics and by this means quickly dry them, ready for the ironer, or if desired, to thoroughly dry them.

A further object in connection with the drying process as described above, is to provide a very efiicient means of utilizing the heat, by installing the heating element within the lower portion of an outer shell that encloses the entire machine together with the tub and storage tanks and by conducting the heated air into an opening in the cover of the tub which is provided with a valve at its bottom that discharges the heated air back into the lower portion of the outer shell where it is further utilized, together with the lost heat from the heating element for keeping the water in all the containers, heated.

Another object of my invention is to provide means of treating the fabrics with a starch solution or with other solutions, while the fabrics are in the tub.

A still further object of my invention is to apply the driving mechanism shown and described in my pending application, to a washing tub mounted for revolving motion only, and having an agitating element adapted for relative oscillatory motion to and within the tub. This. construction eliminates the difliculties arising from theexcessive momentum resulting from the oscillating motion of a large container and its contents.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illus-, trated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a top view of the machine, having a small area of the shell, and the tub wallbroken away, exposing some of the interior construction, including holes in the bottom of the tub, and diagrammatically showing the disposition of the soap water tank and the rinse water tank in the machine; Fig. 2, a vertical section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, of the entire machine, except the section of the twin valve assembly shown which is on a vertical plane lying a little back of line 2 2, and with the further exceptions that some of the details of the machine have been left whole, and part of the strainer wall broken away to add clearness to the view; Fig. 3, a horizontal view on the line 3 3, Fig, 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing a portion of the transmission housing, and exposing some of the working parts; Fig. 4, a face view of the cam plate removed from the machine; Fig. 5, a top view of a portion of the tub cover, showing the opening in its central area, the bearing bracket attached to it, the hose funnels and tube funnel and the port-hole lid, all other parts of the structure being removed; Fig. 6, a face view of the control dial removed from the machine and enlarged; Fig. 7, the upper half of the shifting ring which has been detached and removed from the machine, and Fig. 8, a horizontal section on the line 8 8, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Similar numerals refer to throughout the several views.

Referring in a general way to the drawings and to the functions of the machine, all the opera-. tions of washing, rinsing extracting, drying and starching of the fabrics are performed within the similar parts tub I. This tub is provided with novel functions I and is truncated cone-shaped in form and does not require an outer vessel to contain it, and the solutions used in washing clothes.

The tub is provided with the cover 2, having a central opening 3, and a. port-hole 4, with a lid 5, and at the bottom of the tub is provided an actuated valve I, for draining it and the tub; the tub and the subchamber always having free communication between them through the annular lines of holes 8 8, etc., in the partition or bottom of the tub 8, that divides them.

The trough III, is for receiving the liquid discharged from the valve I, and for other purposes to be more fully explained hereinafter.

Disposed under the tub I, is the transmission housing II, having the cover I2, in which is installed mechanism for transmitting an oscillatory motion to the agitator I3, and for revolving tub.

Disposed farther below the tub I, is the motor I4, for driving the transmission mechanism and the pumps I5, I6.

Storage tanks II, I8, for soap water and for rinse water, respectively, are conveniently grouped with the tub and these tanks, through their intermediate connections, are adapted to receive the soap water and the rinse water when discharged from the tub.

For returning the soap water from its storage tank to the tub is provided hose !9 I9, to which is connected the pump I5, and for returning the rinse water to the tub is provided the hose 20, to which is connected the pump I6.

A unit for heating and driving air into the tub, and for supplying heat for maintaining adaptable temperature in the tub and storage, tanks and their contents, is conveniently disposed between the tanks I! I8. The heated air is driven from this unit into the tub through the tube 22, and after the water is discharged from the tub, a considerable portion of the heated air is driven through the centrifugal valve I, into the lower enclosure of the shell i2, thus setting up a circulating current of heated air through the entire machine, while the air not driven through the valve escapes through the central opening 3. A ring 23, of insulating material is disposed between the tub and the shell to retain heat within the shell and to retard the escape of heated air from below. This air-heating and driving unit is supplied with fresh air through the spacing below the lower edge of the shell.

Disposed above the tub is a small storage tank I I3, for containing starch water, which has a tube I I4 connecting it with the air tube 22. The hand operated valve 42, controls the flow of the starch water from the tank into the air tube.

Extending through the sidewall of the housing II, is the control shaft 24, on the inner end of which is fixed cam plate 25, having the cam groove 26, Fig. 4, and arranged along this shaft and fixed thereto are the cams 21 28 29, throwpin 30, and cams 3| 32, for actuating, respectively, the soap water pump lift rod 33, brakepush-rod 34, rinse water pump push rod 35, toggle switch 36, soap-water valve lift lever 31, and rinse water valve lift lever 38.

On the outer end of the control shaft is fixed a handle 39, having a pointer that turns on a dial M, on which directions for operating the machine are written. Thus all operations of the machine are controlled in fixed coordination at the will of the. operator by setting the dial pointer as indicated on the dial except that of opening the valve 42, for spraying the fabrics with starch water. i

The following explains the procedure followed for laundering a batch of clothes on the machine:

It is assumed that the dial pointer is at the position Put in and. remove clothes, that the is next set at Extract rinse water, which again chamber 64, through the same course.

annular subchamber 8, having a centrifugally rinse water tank has been filled with rinse water and that the motor is idling.

First, the tub is filled with soap water to the line 43. The clothes are then put into the tub through the port-hole 4, and the lid 5, is latched thereon; the dial pointer is then turned to the position Wash which through the linkage of cam groove 26, cam pin 44, shifting-ring 45, and collar 46, thrusts the clutch faws 41, into mesh with their mating jaws 48, thereby transferring an oscillatory motion from the motor drive shaft 48, through the worm 50, worm wheel 5I, crankpin and slide block 52, guide-way 53, and gears 54 and 55, to the main shaft 56, and agitator I3, which is keyed to the shaft. I

After the contents of the vessel have been agitated a suflicient time to wash the clothes, the dial pointer is then set at Extract soap water. This turn of the control shaft, through the linkage of the cam groove and cam pin 26 and 44 respectively, shifting-ring 45, collar 46, thrusts this collar upward on the main shaft 56, disengaging the clutch jaws 41 48, and compressing the spring 51, which in turn thrusts collar 58, upward on the shaft, causing the turning surfaces provided between this collar and gear 59, to contact and to thrust the gear upward which effects a pressure contact between the clutch members 60 and BI, and thereby imparts a revolving motion to the tub from the motor-drive shaft 49, through the gears 62 59. Simultaneously this turn of the control shaft 24, has opened the soap water valve 63, in the twin valve chamber 64. The tub is now permitted to revolve until the centrifugal action has driven the bulk of the soap water from the clothes or in other WuldS has damp-dryed them. Meanwhile the soap water has been discharged through the centrifugal valve I, and into the trough Ill, thence into twin valve chamber 64, through soap water valve 63, pipe 65, and into soap water tank I1.

Next, the dial pointer is turned to Rinse. This turn of the control shaft disengages the upper or spinner clutch and reengages the lower or oscillator clutch as just explained, and simultaneously swings driven pulley 66, of rinse water pump I6,into driving contact with drive pulley 61, by the motion imparted to cam rod 35,by the cam 29, and the rinse water is quickly pumped from the rinse water tank I8, into the tub, thereby subjecting the clothes and the water to the action of the agitator and thoroughly rinsing them.

When the clothes are rinsed, the dial pointer disengages the agitator clutch and again engages the spinner clutch. The rinse water is extracted from the clothes by the same process as was the soap water and is conducted into the twin valve Simultaneously cam 3I, has permitted the soap water valve to close and cam 32, has opened rinse water valve-68, which permits the rinse water to flow from the twin valve chamber into the rinse water tank I8. Also simultaneously, throw pin 30, has flipped toggle switch 36, closing the fan motor 69, and the heater", circuit II, driving a blast of heated air into the tub, which is deflected outward over the clothes by the revolving agitator and then carried downward through the drain holes 8 8, etc., into thesub-chamber and thence through the centrifugal valve I, and into the lower enclosure of shell I2. If required a plurality of valves may be used on the subchamber for more rapidly discharging the air from the tub. This drying process can be continued oughly after the centrifugal action has extracted the bulk of the water from the clothes, as long as desired by the operator. It may be continued just long enough toreduce the moisture in the clothes to a condition suitable for ironing, or it Additional framework of the machine consists of hoop 18, channel rod cross braces I9 19, 88 8| may be continued until the clothes are thordried. In case the clothes in the tub are to be starched, the operator opens hand valve 42, just as the free rinse water in the tub finishes running out, and while the clothes are still fully saturated. The starch water is mixed with the air current and is driven downward into the tub where it isdeflected by the revolving agitator outward over the clothes, which have been distributed over the strainer wall by the centrifugal force that acted on the water and clothes while the tub was spinning and draining. By applying the starch water at this moment it joins with the rinse water still saturating the clothes and is distributed through the clothes by the centrifugal action of the extracting process. Lastly, when the process of drying or of drying and starching the clothes, as the case may be, is finished, the dial pointer is then set at "Put in and remove clothes, and the clothes which are now completely dry are removed from the tub.

When the last batch of clothes of the wash are finished, the soap water which is then in its storage tank, is discharged into the drain by removing the end of nel l3, and hanging it over the sink, and then setting the dial pointer at Pump soap water." The rinse water is discharged from its tank in a correspondingly similar manner, with the dial pointer set at Pump rinse water."

A rotary ironer, having a driven shaft adaptable for connecting with the ironer drive shaft 14, can be used for ironing the clothes.

To more fully explain the operation of the machine, the following is given:

The inside of the bottom of the tub is smooth and level and has a circle of holes 8 8, etc., through it to the sub-chamber 6. Suflicient spacing is allowed between the lower edges of the agitator vanes and the bottom of the tub to permit the centrifugal action of the agitator while the clothes are being washed and rinsed, to drive the dirt sedime'nt that settles in the tub, outward to the wall of the tub, where it sinks through the holes into the sub-chamber and is carried into the tanks when the .tub is spun and drained. The centrifugal force imparted to the contents of the tub by the spinning of .the tub, causes this fluid mass to rise on the sidewall of the tub, forming an inverted air-cone in the upper central space of the tub, while the fabrics are distributedand held in alayer over the strainer wall, impeding the rapid flow of the water through the strainer wall, and the top suds and scum is driven over the surface of the water above the fabrics and is carried down between the strainer wall and the tub wall with the soap water.

Referring now, in more detail to the drawings and to the functions of the machine, the shell or outer cover 12 of the machine serves the additional purposes of forming part of the framework of the machine and of retaining heat inthe entire machine and in the liquid containers and their contents. The shell is reenforced by two lengths of channel rods 15 15, which are shaped to conform to the shell, and they form a support at the top of the machine for the upper main shaft bearing 16, and are bent to form feet 11, etc., at the base of the machine.

the hose [9, from the fun-' 82, which support the transmission housing, cross-bracing 83 83 83 83, which support the tanks and form bracing for the machines.

Funnels I3, 84, for conducting the liquid from the hose into the tub also funnel 85, for conducting the air into thev tub, are all fixed to the frame structure of the machine. The rinse water tank can be filled through the tube 86, which connects with it, or this tank can be filled by filling the tub through the port-hole 4, and by setting the dial at Extract rinse water." The tub is adapted to revolve on the main shaft by means of the bearing provided in bracket 81, which is secured to the cover of, the vessel by the bolts 88 88,'and by means of the bearing provided in collar 89, which has. a flanged edge extending under the bottom of the tub. A recess is provided in the hub of this collar which receives the collar bearing 98, that rotatably supports the weight of the tub and its assembly, and to the top of the collar 89 is fixed the liquid retaining tube 9|. Fixed to the bottom of the tub is the clutch facing 6|. The strainer wall 92 is held in position by the studs 93 93, etc;

The centrifugal valve chamber 94, is fixed to the bottom of the sub-chamber 6, and the valve I, is actuated by the lever 95, and the weight, 96. Gear wheel 59, is rotatably supported by the collar 91. The brake shoe 98, is fixed to the flat spring 99, which has its inner end fixed to the transmission housing. It normally curves sownward, but is bent upward when the cam 28 thruststhe push rod 34, upward, causing a pressure contact of the shoe on the bottom of the tub. The relative angular arrangement on the control shaft of this cam, with the rest of the control mechanism, always causes the brake to act during the shift from the drivin" contact of one clutch to that of the other.

The main shaft is rotatably supported by the socket bearin" 188, and thereby supports the weight of the tub and its assembly and contents. In actual construction an end and radial thrust ball bearing would be used in this place. Flats I81. etc., are provided on a section of the main shaft adapting it to fit the holes provided in the shifting collars, 46, 58. An annular groove is provided in the lower shifting collar. Adapted to ride freely in this groove is shifting rin 45, having an arm extending from it on which is provided the cam pin 44. On the opposite side of this shiftin' ring is a retaining lug I82, that slides in the slot I83. The shifting ring is made in two parts. The forward part of it has been removed and is shownin Fig. 7. Bevel gear 55 is supported by the collar I84, and its mating gear 54, is fixed to the shaft I85, which oscillates in its bearing. On the hub of this gear is fixed the guide-way 53. The worm wheel 5|, is keyed to the shaft 14, which turns in its bearing. This shaft extends through the housing and shell, supplying a drive for an ironer. The frame of the motor is fixed to and supported by bracket I88. The soap water pump swings on hinge joint I89, provided on bracket I88, and the rinse water pump swings on hinge joint I I8. The twin .valve chamber 64, is fixed to the bottom of the trough l8, and receives the water discharged through the opening I86, Fig. 8. The water is discharged from the valves 63 68, into the pipes 65, I81 respectively, and thence into the storage tanks. The heating unit is supported by the brackets Ill, Hi. The fan motor and heating element work on one circuit. This circuit is provided with a cut-out switch H2, for the heating element, so that normal air may be driven into th tub for drying the clothes, if desired.

I claim:

1. In a laundry machine, a tub for containing liquid and articles to be laundered. said tub having a sub-chamber disposed near its wall, a strainer partition spaced from and fixed to the inner side of its wall, a partition provided between the said tub and the said sub-chamber, permitting liquid to pass through from the tub to the sub-chamber but retaining the articles in the tub, said tub being rotat'ably mounted on a vertical axis, an agitating element provided within said tub, means for heating air and for driving the heated air into said tub, a motor, mechanism interposed between the said tub and the said m otorfor actuating the said agitating element, and for revolving the tub.

2. In a laundry machine, a tub for containing liquid and articles to be laundered, said tub having a sub-chamber disposed near its wall, a strainer partition spaced from and fixed to the inner side of its wall, a partitior. provided between the said tub and the said sub-chamber, permitting liquid to pass through from the tub to the sub-chamber, but retaining the articles in the tub, said tub being rotatably mounted on a vertical axis, an agitating element provided within said tub, means for heating air and for driving the heated air into said tub, means for mixing starch solution with the driven air, a motor, mechanism interposed between the said tub and the said motor for actuating the said agitating element and for revolving the said tub.

3. In a laundry machine, a tub, a single Vertically disposed shaft axially extending into said tub from its under side; means revolubly sup-- porting the tub on said shaft at a fixed elevation; an agitator within said tub supported by and engaged with said shaft to be driven thereby; power means; reciprocating drive means operated by said power means; unidirectional drive 1 means operated by said power means; clutch means selectively interconnecting said shaft and said reciprocating drive means; tube drive clutch means carried on said shaft selectively connecting said unidirectional drive means with said tub; and means for actuating both of said clutch means.

4. In a laundry machine, a tub, a single vertically disposed shaft axially extending into said tub from its under side; means revolubly supporting the tub on said shaft at a fixed elevation; an agitator .within said tub supported by and engaged with said shaft to be driven thereby; power means; reciprocating drive means operated by said power means; unidirectional drive means operated by said power means; clutch means selectively interconnecting said shaft and said reciprocating drive means; tub drive clutch means carried on said shaft selectively connecting said unidirectional drive means with said tub; and means for actuating both of said clutch means; said shaft remaining fixed in respect to longitudinal shifting; and elements of both of said clutch means being shiftable along said shaft into and out of said connecting conditions.

5. In a laundry machine, a tub, a single vertically disposed shaft axially extending into said tub from its under side; means revolubly supporting the tub on said shaft at a fixed elevation; an agitator within said tub supported by and engaged with said shaft to be driven thereby; power means; reciprocating drive means operated by said power means; unidirectional drive means operated by said power means; clutch means selectively interconnecting said shaft and said reciprocating drive means; tub drive clutch means carried on said shaft selectively connecting said unidirectional drive means with said tub; and means for actuating both of said clutch means; tub brake means normally biased to an un-braked condition removed laterally of said shaft; said clutch actuating means also being interconnected with said brake means for actuation thereof when said tub drive clutch means is in a disengaged condition.

6. In a laundry machine, a tub, a single vertically disposed shaft axially extending into said tub from its under side; means revolubly supporting the tub on said shaft at a fixed elevation; an agitator within said tub supported by and engaged with said shaft to be driven thereby; power means; unidirectional drive means operated by said power means; reciprocating drive means; clutch means selectivelyinterconnecting said shaft and said reciprocating drive means; tub drive clutch means carried on said shaft selectively connecting said unidirectional drive means with said tub; and means for actuating both of said clutch means; said shaft being mounted to permit said agitator to revolve in unison with said tub.

'7. In a laundry machine, a revoluble tub having a closed side wall and a fluid discharge opening in its floor; a foraminated wall around and spaced inwardly from said side wall and fixedto turn therewith; a housing in fixed spaced position around said tub and extending downwardly therefrom to form a chamber under the tub; means for revolving the tub about a vertical axis; a fixed position fluid collector under said tub in said housing and arranged to receive said discharge; at least one fluid holding tank within said chamber receiving fluid from said collector; means for delivering fiu'd from the tank into said tub; an air conducting conduit having an intake within said chamber and a discharge into said tub; and heating means in said conduit; whereby air may be taken from said chamber, discharged into said tub to travel through said foraminated wall and escape through said tub floor discharge opening into and over said collector and back into said chamber; said tub discharge opening being between the tub side and foraminated walls..

8. In a laundry machine, a tub; a vertically disposed shaft axially entering said tub through its floor and in fixed longitudinal position; means for supporting said'tubv revolubly on said shaft; an agitator within the tub supported by and drivingly connected with said shaft; power means; means independent of said shaft for selectively holding said tub in a fixed position; reciprocating means between said power means and said shaft for driving said agitator; and unidirectional driving means interposed between said power means and said tub to revolve selectively said tub independently of rotation of said shaft.

9. In a laundry machine, a revoluble tub having a closed side wall and a fluid discharge openclutch element carried by said driven element;

said housing and arranged to receive said discharge; at least one fluid holding tank within said chamber receiving fluid from said collector;

means for delivering fluid from the tank into said tub; an air conducting conduit having an intake within said-chamber and a discharge into said tub; and heating means in said conduit; whereby air may be taken from said chamber, discharged into said tub to travel through said foramin-ated wall and escape through said tub floor discharge opening into and over said collector and back into said chamber; said tub discharge opening being between the tub side and foraminated walls; and heat retaining means interposed between said tub and said housing above said tub floor.

a clutch engaging member shiftable longitudinally of and drivingly connected with said shaft 10. In a laundry machine, a revoluble tub; a

shaft mounted to be rotatable about its axis and axially entering said tub; an agitator within the tub drivingly mounted on the shaft extension therewithin; means revolubly supporting said tub on said shaft; a tub clutch element revolubly carried by said shaft to be shiftable therealong; a

clutch element carried by said tub in fixed relation thereto; unidirectional drive means drivingly connected with said shaft mounted clutch member; reciprocating drive means, a driven element of which is revolubly carried on said shaft; a

between said shaft mounted clutch element and said clutch element of said driven member; and control means for shifting said shift-able clutch engaging member along said shaft for selective engagement of the said tub clutch members and engagement with the said reciprocating driven element.

11. Laundry apparatus comprising a fluid retaining tub; a base; power means carried-by the base; a shaft extending vertically from the base power transmission means connecting with said power means and carried by the base and including a unidirectional driven member and also a reciprocating driven member; said tub being re volubly mounted on said shaft above and free of said base; an agitator drivingly engaged with said shaft in the tub; clutch means for interengaging said unidirectional driven member with said tub; clutch means for intereng-aging said reciprocating driven member with said shaft; a brake member shiftable against and away from the tub; and control means for selective actuation of both of said clutch means and of said brake member.

LORIN D. McCLEARY. 

